Mens Hockey: Quinn Hughes' OT Goal Sends U.S. to Olympic mens hockey Semifinal

Quinn Hughes scored the overtime winner to lift Team USA to a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals, a result that sends the second-seeded Americans into a Friday semifinal against Slovakia. The finish settled a tight, late game and preserved the U. S. bid for a medal in the tournament.

Mens Hockey: mens hockey OT winner

Hughes finished the game in sudden-death overtime after receiving a pass on the left boards and driving toward the center of the ice before ripping a shot that ricocheted in off the right post. The goal ended the contest at 2-1 and followed an extra-session period in which the American side controlled much of the puck. The winning sequence featured a setup from a teammate and a decisive finish that prompted an immediate celebration on the ice.

Late regulation twist

Team USA opened scoring with a second-period goal by a U. S. forward, but Sweden pulled its goaltender late and evened the game with a 6-on-5 one-timer that tied the score with 1: 31 remaining in regulation. That tying goal pushed the match into the 3-on-3 overtime format used at the Games, setting the stage for Hughes’ decisive effort in sudden death.

Goalie performance and shot counts

Netminders played central roles: the U. S. goaltender finished with 29 saves on 30 shots, while Sweden’s starter faced 40 shots and stopped 38. Those tallies underline the offensive volume directed at both nets and help explain why possession and pressure in overtime proved decisive. Hughes logged a team-high 27: 31 of ice time, reflecting his heavy involvement at both ends.

What the win means next

With the victory, Team USA advances to face No. 3 Slovakia in Friday’s semifinal; the winner of that game will advance to the gold-medal match. The other semifinal pairs No. 1 Canada against No. 4 Finland. The quarterfinal round produced drama across the bracket: three of the four quarterfinals required overtime, while Slovakia posted a convincing 6-2 win over Germany in its match.

• Final score: USA 2, Sweden 1 (OT).
• Goaltending: U. S. goalie 29 saves on 30; Sweden’s goalie 38 saves on 40.
• Next: U. S. meets Slovakia in Friday’s semifinal.

Looking ahead, the observable indicators from this game — sustained shot pressure by the Americans in extra time and reliable goaltending — will be key factors to monitor against Slovakia on Friday. If the U. S. maintains high puck possession in critical moments and its goaltender continues to stop the majority of shots faced, Team USA will preserve a clear pathway to the medal round. Uncertainties remain about match-up specifics and adjustments both teams may make, and those tactical decisions will shape the semifinal outcome.